The makers of Dada, the much-awaited biopic on former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, have finally unveiled Rajkummar Rao's first-look poster. Released on the occasion of Ganguly's 54th birthday, the poster recreates the iconic moment when the cricket legend waved his jersey from the Lord's balcony after India's famous victory.
While the reveal generated excitement among fans, the poster has also become the center of a heated debate on social media.
Rajkummar Rao's Transformation Receives Industry Praise
Rajkummar Rao has been preparing for the role of Sourav Ganguly for quite some time. Earlier, several behind-the-scenes pictures from the film's shoot had surfaced online, creating anticipation among fans eager to see his complete transformation.
Following the official poster launch, several Bollywood celebrities praised Rao's appearance. Actors Ali Fazal, Ayushmann Khurrana, Neha Dhupia, and Manushi Chhillar congratulated the actor in the comments section, applauding his dedication and look.
Social Media Users Criticize the Poster
Despite the appreciation from industry colleagues, many fans were left unimpressed by the poster's visual quality. A large number of social media users claimed the image looked overly edited and compared it to AI-generated artwork.
One user commented that even AI tools could have produced a more convincing first look, while another described it as one of the weakest biopic posters they had seen. Several fans also felt that unofficial fan-made posters available online looked more realistic than the official release.
Some users questioned whether the poster was genuine, criticizing its editing and overall presentation. Others expressed concerns that the first impression failed to capture Sourav Ganguly's personality convincingly.
This is so so MID POSTER. I mean not even close to Original #SouravGanguly š³#RajKummarRao is COMPLETELY going OUT OF DIRECTION in Acting. #Dada will FLOP HARD ! Mark this ā pic.twitter.com/kX5avPPaoM
ā CineHub (@Its_CineHub) July 8, 2026
Dada Backed by Noted Filmmakers
The biographical sports drama is being produced by Luv Ranjan and Ankur Garg under Luv Films, while acclaimed filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane is directing the project.
In an earlier interview with PTI in July 2025, Sourav Ganguly had expressed confidence in Rajkummar Rao, saying the actor was the ideal choice to portray him on screen.
Expectations Remain High
Although the first-look poster has received a mixed response, expectations for Dada remain strong due to Rajkummar Rao's reputation for delivering powerful performances and Vikramaditya Motwane's filmmaking credentials.
Whether the film lives up to the excitement or changes public opinion after its teaser and trailer remains to be seen, but the first-look poster has certainly succeeded in getting people talking.

